Conversational Evangelism: How to Listen and Speak So You Can Be Heard [Paperback]

Norman Geisler (Author), David Geisler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2009

Witnessing used to involve laying out the truth and guiding a person to understand and accept it. But the awareness of basic Christian principles has changed and so have the needs of pre–believers. With a passion for people, authors David and Norman Geisler share an engaging, conversational approach to evangelism as they address:

• What makes old models of witnessing ineffective in today’s culture
• Why evangelism must start with relational pre–evangelism
• How to ask questions, listen attentively, and understand what someone believes
• Ways to identify the real barriers to belief in order to build a bridge to truth
• How to keep dialogue going with different personality types

This refreshing, practical resource is ideal for churches and individuals. Readers will discover how God uses their everyday encounters for great things when they switch from trying to witness effectively to effectively being a witness through communication and compassion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (March 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736923993
• ISBN-13: 978-0736923996
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Norman Geisler (PhD, Loyola University) is president of Southern Evangelical Seminary and author or coauthor of over fifty books including Decide for Yourself, Baker's Encyclopedia of Apologetics, and When Skeptics Ask.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Geislers strike a chord, July 17, 2009

By 

John W. Griffin (Moultrie, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Conversational Evangelism: How to Listen and Speak So You Can Be Heard (Paperback)

I've always been a big fan of Norman Geisler, viewing him as a real giant in the area of Christian apologetics, a great intellect and philosophical force of nature. He's the perfect guy to stand toe-to-toe with the Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, atheistic philosophers of the world.

That he would write a book of such sensibilities was a great and pleasant surprise. Perhaps it's the influence of David, but this book brings some serious intellectual firepower to everyday interpersonal interactions.

The Geislers emphasize the need to listen carefully to what people are saying, and rather than blast away with the right answer, ask clarifying questions. "Help me understand..." can be a disarming way of starting a conversation. The Geislers help equip the Christian in understanding the type of questions to ask that will reveal some of the big problems in the postmodern worldview.

Sometimes evangelism is a process. This book is very helpful in enabling believers to shepherd that process along...to help someone "move one step closer to Christ."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Tool., March 25, 2009

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BookBargainsandPreviews.com "www.bookbargains... (New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Conversational Evangelism: How to Listen and Speak So You Can Be Heard (Paperback)

According to the authors, conversational evangelism is sharing God's word with people in everyday conversation. Hopefully, these conversations will lead people to study God's word with us in a home study, or while attending church with us. Well written and easy to read, the Geislers encourage us to reach out to others for Christ in our everyday lives.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Making Evangelism Effective, Efficient, and Maybe Even Pleasant", May 3, 2009

By 

Debra Gaynor "ReviewYourBook.com" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conversational Evangelism: How to Listen and Speak So You Can Be Heard (Paperback)

One point made in this easy-to-read book is to talk with non-believers--not at them. To talk at them is a lack of respect and puts them on the defensive. That is part of the base of the technique of conversational evangelism. It is simple, yet brilliant. Another point was to listen--not just talk. This leads to finding common ground. Without it, the evangelist might as well give up hope.
Finding common ground may be easier said than done. There are many different religions that may seem a bit off-the-wall. Some people just have a different up-bringing/foundation of beliefs. The authors detail tips on how to witness to those of specific other religions, such as Hinduism.
This is book is brilliant. Use this to make evangelism effective, efficient, and maybe even pleasant. This book is needed by church leaders, missionaries, and all Christians interested in leading others to God. This is revolutionary!